Film Studies

Film Studies Courses

FS 101 Introduction to Film Studies (HC) (4.00 SH). This course focuses on the major language systems of film: photography, mise en scene, movement, editing, sound, acting, sets and costumes, writing and narrative structure, and ideology. Emphasis is on how formalist and realist filmmakers use these language systems to create meaning. Through lecture, reading, discussion, and screening of films, the students will become informed, sophisticated, active observers of cinema. Meets Humanity and Culture Intellectual Perspective requirement (HC).

FS 102 History of Film (HC) (4.00 SH). This course is designed for students to develop a greater comprehension of the historical evolution of cinematic art. Though the course focuses primarily on cinema in the United States, some important and representative films from other countries will be studied. In addition, emphasis will be given to films that represent the development of film as an industry and how this corresponds to (and conflicts with) artistic endeavor. Students will write analyses of both films they watch for the course and films they choose to watch on their own. In keeping with the goals of the course, these analyses will require the students to fit the films into the context of cinema as a greater whole and to demonstrate an understanding of film as both art and industry. In addition, mid-term and final exams will require students to analyze certain films and their contributions to the development of cinema. Meets Humanity and Culture Intellectual Perspective requirement (HC).

FS 212 Film Adaptation (HC) (4.00 SH). Students will study the challenging process of adapting literature, drama, and true-life stories to film—what goes, what stays, and what changes. By working closely with different types of texts, students discover how the texts complement each other and how they often resist each other. (Also listed as ENG 112.) Meets Humanity and Culture Intellectual Perspective requirement (HC).

FS 256 Screenwriting Workshop (4.00 SH). This workshop gives students the knowledge and tools necessary to write original screenplays from the story concept to the final draft. Students will have two or three completed short film scripts or one feature-length script by the end of the semester. Elements covered in the course include the three-act structure, main plot, subplots, scene writing, cohesiveness and momentum, transitions and turning points, conflict, character functions and development, dialogue and description, and theme. Students will also learn to use the Final Draft software program. (Also listed as WRI 256.)

FS 305 Top:Alfred Hitchcock (4.00 SH). (May be cross-listed with other disciplines.) Selected topics courses study films in a more specific fashion than a survey course would do; for example, a student might examine the work of a particular director; films united by a particular theme, philosophy, or discipline; or films produced during a specific historical period. They will help students develop strategies and skills for assessing the accomplishments of filmmakers and their films and to understand how film may fit into a larger context. Thus, the Topics courses may be taught from the point of view of any discipline or theoretical approach so as to view the infinite possibilities of film. Students will apply and further develop skills they have learned in introductory courses to achieve a higher level of critical thinking regarding their comprehension of the film text.

FS 309 The Sporting Spirit (HC) (4.00 SH). (May be cross-listed with other disciplines.) Selected topics courses study films in a more specific fashion than a survey course would do; for example, a student might examine the work of a particular director; films united by a particular theme, philosophy, or discipline; or films produced during a specific historical period. They will help students develop strategies and skills for assessing the accomplishments of filmmakers and their films and to understand how film may fit into a larger context. Thus, the Topics courses may be taught from the point of view of any discipline or theoretical approach so as to view the infinite possibilities of film. Students will apply and further develop skills they have learned in introductory courses to achieve a higher level of critical thinking regarding their comprehension of the film text.

FS 310 England Age of Empire (4.00 SH). (May be cross-listed with other disciplines.) Selected topics courses study films in a more specific fashion than a survey course would do; for example, a student might examine the work of a particular director; films united by a particular theme, philosophy, or discipline; or films produced during a specific historical period. They will help students develop strategies and skills for assessing the accomplishments of filmmakers and their films and to understand how film may fit into a larger context. Thus, the Topics courses may be taught from the point of view of any discipline or theoretical approach so as to view the infinite possibilities of film. Students will apply and further develop skills they have learned in introductory courses to achieve a higher level of critical thinking regarding their comprehension of the film text.

FS 311 The Age of Elizabeth (4.00 SH). (May be cross-listed with other disciplines.) Selected topics courses study films in a more specific fashion than a survey course would do; for example, a student might examine the work of a particular director; films united by a particular theme, philosophy, or discipline; or films produced during a specific historical period. They will help students develop strategies and skills for assessing the accomplishments of filmmakers and their films and to understand how film may fit into a larger context. Thus, the Topics courses may be taught from the point of view of any discipline or theoretical approach so as to view the infinite possibilities of film. Students will apply and further develop skills they have learned in introductory courses to achieve a higher level of critical thinking regarding their comprehension of the film text.

FS 312 History & Film (4.00 SH). (May be cross-listed with other disciplines.) Selected topics courses study films in a more specific fashion than a survey course would do; for example, a student might examine the work of a particular director; films united by a particular theme, philosophy, or discipline; or films produced during a specific historical period. They will help students develop strategies and skills for assessing the accomplishments of filmmakers and their films and to understand how film may fit into a larger context. Thus, the Topics courses may be taught from the point of view of any discipline or theoretical approach so as to view the infinite possibilities of film. Students will apply and further develop skills they have learned in introductory courses to achieve a higher level of critical thinking regarding their comprehension of the film text.

FS 342 Film Genres (4.00 SH). (May be cross-listed with other disciplines.) Selected topics courses study films in a more specific fashion than a survey course would do; for example, a student might examine the work of a particular director; films united by a particular theme, philosophy, or discipline; or films produced during a specific historical period. They will help students develop strategies and skills for assessing the accomplishments of filmmakers and their films and to understand how film may fit into a larger context. Thus, the Topics courses may be taught from the point of view of any discipline or theoretical approach so as to view the infinite possibilities of film. Students will apply and further develop skills they have learned in introductory courses to achieve a higher level of critical thinking regarding their comprehension of the film text.

FS 342A Genre:Musicals (HC) (4.00 SH). (May be cross-listed with other disciplines). Selected topics courses study films in a more specific fashion than a survey course would do; for example, a student might examine the work of a particular director; films united by a particular theme, philosophy, or discipline; or films produced during a specific historical period. They will help students develop strategies and skills for assessing the accomplishments of filmmakers and their films and to understand how film may fit into a larger context. Thus, the Topics courses may be taught from the point of view of any discipline or theoretical approach so as to view the infinite possibilities of film. Students will apply and further develop skills they have learned in introductory courses to achieve a higher level of critical thinking regarding their comprehension of the film text.

FS 352 Political Films (4.00 SH). (May be cross-listed with other disciplines.) Selected topics courses study films in a more specific fashion than a survey course would do; for example, a student might examine the work of a particular director; films united by a particular theme, philosophy, or discipline; or films produced during a specific historical period. They will help students develop strategies and skills for assessing the accomplishments of filmmakers and their films and to understand how film may fit into a larger context. Thus, the Topics courses may be taught from the point of view of any discipline or theoretical approach so as to view the infinite possibilities of film. Students will apply and further develop skills they have learned in introductory courses to achieve a higher level of critical thinking regarding their comprehension of the film text.

FS 404 Film Criticism (4.00 SH). This course teaches the basic concepts and critical approaches of film analysis. Some of these analytical methods include humanism, auteurism, genre studies, social science criticism, cultural criticism, semiology, structuralism, psychoanalytic criticism, Marxism, and feminism. Looking at the films through a critical lens while incorporating an analysis of its basic language systems offers students a better understanding of what filmmakers are saying as well as how they are saying it.

FS 501 Film Studies Practicum (2.00 SH). The purpose of the Film Studies Practicum is to give students an opportunity to learn more about international films, directors, and cultures. The Jake Erhardt International Film Series provides a perfect forum for the practicum since the focus is on foreign film industries and their product. Students will take charge of the International Film Series: researching films for each semester’s lineup, presenting background information for the audiences, and leading group discussions after the films. Students will also be responsible for developing advertising for the series and sending out reminders for each viewing. The practicum experience each semester will culminate in a research paper, a critical analysis of one or more of the films presented in that semester. Students will take the practicum for two semesters and receive two credits per semester.

FS 502 Film Studies Practicum (2.00 SH). The purpose of the Film Studies Practicum is to give students an opportunity to learn more about international films, directors, and cultures. The Jake Erhardt International Film Series provides a perfect forum for the practicum since the focus is on foreign film industries and their product. Students will take charge of the International Film Series: researching films for each semester’s lineup, presenting background information for the audiences, and leading group discussions after the films. Students will also be responsible for developing advertising for the series and sending out reminders for each viewing. The practicum experience each semester will culminate in a research paper, a critical analysis of one or more of the films presented in that semester. Students will take the practicum for two semesters and receive two credits per semester.

FS 520 Travel (2.00 SH). Travel Course

FS 624 Independent Study (4.00 SH). Independent Study (4 SH)

Supporting Courses

ENG 109 The Sporting Spirit (HC) (4.00 SH). ENG 101-199 Studies in English, American, world or comparative literature, or in specific literary genres and themes. Individual sections experiment with different approaches and topics. The times and a brief description of each course is provided each semester. These courses are designed primarily for non-English majors. More than one ENG 101–199 may be taken for credit, as long as each course is different. Meets Humanity and Culture Intellectual Perspective requirement (HC).

What can you do with a Film Studies degree?

Imagine yourself a writer, editor, film executive, educator, a journalist, publicist, or film executive.